Wellbore Pressure-Wave Tracking for Non-Intrusive Fluid Level Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring fluid levels and objects in wells are limited by installation constraints, require intrusive interventions, and lack continuous real-time monitoring capabilities, especially in older wells or offshore installations.
Innovation Solution
A non-intrusive system using pressure waves induced by controlling fluid flow in existing well infrastructure to create positive and negative pressure waves, analyzed for real-time tracking of fluid levels and objects within conduits, utilizing pressure transducers and a system controller for accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure gauges or density gauges are installed to determine fluid level, then measurement capability is improved, but installation complexity and device complexity increase due to distance limitations and requirement for specific depth installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure gauges and density gauges with an acoustic wave-based detection system. Pressure waves are generated at the wellhead and travel through the fluid column to reflect off the fluid level, eliminating the need for physical sensor installation at various depths. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure waves as an intermediary medium to transmit information about fluid level from remote depths to the wellhead. Instead of placing sensors directly at the measurement point, the pressure waves serve as carriers that bounce off the fluid level and return to the surface, where the fluid level can be calculated from the wave travel time. This intermediary approach eliminates installation constraints while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If well intervention is performed to determine fluid level, then measurement capability is improved, but time consumption and resource usage increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous fluid level monitoring by establishing a permanent pressure wave generation and detection system at the wellhead. Once installed, the system can continuously emit pressure waves and analyze reflections without requiring periodic well interventions. This continuous operation eliminates the repeated time loss associated with manual well interventions while maintaining accurate measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service monitoring by automatically generating pressure waves, detecting reflections, and calculating fluid levels without requiring external intervention. The wellhead equipment serves itself to monitor well conditions, eliminating the need for separate well intervention operations and significantly reducing time consumption and resource usage.
3Reliability
If well intervention is performed to install monitoring equipment, then continuous monitoring capability is improved, but operational risk and resource requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for intrusive mechanical sensor installation with non-intrusive acoustic wave propagation through the existing wellbore. By using pressure waves that travel through the fluid column, the system achieves continuous monitoring capability without the operational risks associated with well interventions, equipment installation, and wellbore access.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure waves serve as a safe intermediary that can penetrate and travel through the wellbore environment without requiring physical access or intervention. This intermediary approach enables continuous monitoring while avoiding the harmful factors and operational risks associated with well interventions, as the waves can be generated and detected from the wellhead without disturbing the wellbore contents or requiring equipment deployment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous, accurate monitoring of fluid levels and object positions within wells and storage facilities, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime by eliminating the need for extensive interventions.
Implementation Method 1
induce pressure waves in the wellbore... inducing pressure waves in the conduit
Implementation Method 2
a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the conduit, the pressure transducer positioned to measure pressure responses in the conduit due to contact of the pressure waves with the fluid level or the object
Implementation Method 3
determine a distance of the fluid level or the object in the conduit, relative to the component or the pressure transducer, based on the pressure responses
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to non-intrusively monitoring a fluid level or an object in a conduit. A system comprises a component positioned to control flow into or out of the conduit to induce pressure waves in the conduit; a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the conduit, the pressure transducer positioned to measure pressure responses in the conduit due to contact of the pressure waves with the fluid level or the object; and a system controller operable to: receive pressure data from the pressure transducer, the pressure data comprising the pressure responses; and determine a distance of the fluid level or the object in the conduit, relative to the component or the pressure transducer, based on the pressure responses.